Would you recognise the secret sexting codes your kids are using?
The list of sexting abbreviations includes the code for everything from "See you for sex" to "Parents are gone"
PARENTING is hard enough as it is, but with kids spending more and more of their time online it's getting even trickier.
Underage sexting is increasingly becoming a problem, and while schools are soon to be introducing warnings about porn and sexting as part of compulsory sex education, it can be hard to know when to step in as a parent. Especially as the websites kids go on and language they use online are constantly evolving.
In an attempt to help worried parents, the Police Service of Northern Ireland shared an American style graphic sexting dictionary on their Facebook page so parents can get to know the kinds of things their kids might be saying online.
Alongside the post, the police in Newry and Mourne asked: "Do you understand text talk?"
The abbreviations can be quite shocking, with codes ranging from "Are you horny?" to "Kill yourself" offering a sinister view into what can go on online.
The PSNI defended their decision to share the post after some readers pointed out that the terms used in America may not be the same over here and may also be out of date.
Responding to the criticism, a spokesperson for Bewry and Mourne PSNI said:
"As a follow up to the text talk post just to clarify that this was an American resource and indeed some of the codes may not be being used here but it is something to be aware off if you see cryptic messages on your kids devices.
"Also prevention is better than cure so speak to your kids about their online activity, what they are using and respect the age limits of social media platforms – is it proper to set up a kid with a Facebook account at eight years old?
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";What is an appropriate age to give your child a smart phone or device and data or wifi access?
"There are hundreds of text talk codes – a simple online search will reveal what any codes you spot actually mean."
Following the post, has since published an up-to-date list of the most commonly used sexting codes.
Secret texting codes your kids could be using
1. 143 – I love you
2. 2DAY – Today
3. 4EAE – For ever and ever
4. ADN – Any day now
5. AFAIK – As far as I know
6. AFK – Away from keyboard
7. ASL – Age/sex/location
8. ATM – At the moment
9. BFN – Bye for now
10. BOL – Be on later
11. BRB – Be right back
12. BTW – By the way
13. CTN – Can’t talk now
14. DWBH – Don’t worry, be happy
15. F2F or FTF – Face to face
16. FWB – Friends with benefits
17. FYEO – For your eyes only
18. GAL – Get a life
19. GB – Goodbye
20. GLHF – Good luck, have fun
21. GTG– Got to go
22. GYPO – Get your pants off
23. HAK – Hugs and kisses
24. HAND – Have a nice day
25. HTH – Hope this helps / Happy to help
26. HW– Homework
27. IDK – I don’t know
28. IIRC – If I remember correctly
29. IKR– I know, right?
30. ILY / ILU– I love you
31. IM– Instant message
32. IMHO – In my honest opinion / In my humble opinion
33. IMO – In my opinion
34. IRL– In real life
35. IWSN – I want sex now
36. IU2U – It’s up to you
37. IYKWIM – If you know what I mean
38. J/K– Just kidding
39. J4F – Just for fun
40. JIC– Just in case
41. JSYK – Just so you know
42. KFY – Kiss for you
43. KPC – Keeping parents clueless
44. L8– Late
45. LMBO – Laughing my butt off
46. LMIRL – Let’s meet in real life
47. LMK– Let me know
48. LOL – Laugh out loud
49. LSR – Loser
50. MIRL – Meet in real life
51. MOS – Mom over shoulder
52. NAGI– Not a good idea
53. NIFOC– Nude in front of computer
54. NM – Never mind
55. NMU – Not much, you?
56. NP – No problem
57. NTS – Note to self
58. OIC – Oh I see
59. OMG – Oh my God
60. ORLY – Oh, really?
61. OT– Off topic
62. OTP– On the phone
63. P911– Parent alert
64. PAW – Parents are watching
65. PCM– Please call me
66. PIR – Parent in room
67. PLS or PLZ– Please
68. PPL – People
69. POS – Parents over shoulder
70. PTB– Please text back
71. QQ – Crying. This abbreviation produces an emoticon in text. It’s often used sarcastically.
72. RAK – Random act of kindness
73. RL – Real life
74. ROFL – Rolling on the floor laughing
75. RT – Retweet
76. RUOK – Are you okay?
77. SMH – Shaking my head
78. SOS – Someone over shoulder
79. SRSLY – Seriously
80. SSDD – Same stuff, different day
81. SWAK – Sealed with a kiss
82. SWYP – So, what’s your problem?
83. SYS – See you soon
84. TBC – To be continued
85. TDTM– Talk dirty to me
86. TIME – Tears in my eyes
87. WYCM – Will you call me?
88. TMI– Too much information
89. TMRW – Tomorrow
90. TTYL– Talk to you later
91. TY or TU– Thank you
92. VSF – Very sad face
93. WB – Welcome back
94. WTH – What the heck?
95. WTPA – Where the party at?
96. WYCM – Will you call me?
97. YGM – You’ve got mail
98. YOLO – You only live once
99. YW – You’re welcome
100. ZOMG – Oh my God (sarcastic)
101. 182 – I hate you
102. 420 – Marijuana
103. ADR – Address
104. CD9 – Code 9 – it means parents are around
105. ILU – I Love You
106. KOTL – Kiss On The Lips
107. LMIRL – Let’s Meet In Real Life
108. NIFOC – Nude In Front Of The Computer
109. P999 – Parent Alert
110. PAL – Parents Are Listening -or- Peace And Love
111. RU/18 – Are You Over 18?
112. WYRN – What’s Your Real Name?
'What goes online, stays online ... for ever'
LIAT HUGHES JOSHI, the author of How To Unplug Your Child, writes: Teenagers want to have their own lingo to keep secrets from their parents and to define their own lives. The internet makes sexual imagery easily available for people far younger than those in previous generations. But there is action we can take. Part of the purpose of these codes is to outsmart parents. As soon as adults realise their meaning, they will probably invent new ones. So focus more on educating your child on the safe use of social media and the dangers involved. Explain that sending sexually explicit imagery of a child is illegal – even if the person sharing it is a child too. The law applies even if the other person gave permission. Make it clear that what goes online stays online – for ever. They might not worry now about their digital profile but they will in the future. Even on Snapchat, someone can take a screenshot and share it. Your child might trust someone with explicit messages for now but relationships can and do turn sour. Digital images don’t necessarily stay private. The golden rule should be: Don’t send it if you don’t want everyone else seeing it. Or ideally, don’t send it at all. The NSPCC has a great idea called “the Granny Rule”. If you wouldn’t want your grandmother seeing an image, don’t send it. Add parental controls to all gadgets used by younger children. “Shoulder-surf” and step in if they veer towards the inappropriate. If you pay the bills, it is fair to regularly assess what pre-teens and younger teens are doing with their phones – and do sudden spot-checks. Insist on knowing their passwords so you can log into their accounts. Older teens need some privacy but they should be wiser to the dangers. Even if your kids insist that “everyone else” is on Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat, that doesn’t mean they have to be. Stand firm on pestering. More than anything, make them aware you want to keep them safe and they can talk to you about any online concerns without embarrassment or the fear of getting in trouble.